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Today, the solemnity of the Annunciation, offers me the occasion to send you my warm greetings. We are celebrating the mystery of the Incarnation of the Son of God, who wished to take for himself our human nature to expiate our sins and open for us the way back to the Father. Mystery of God’s infinite love. He could have redeemed us by simpler paths, but he chose to have his Son laid low and humiliated to show us that if the mystery of iniquity is great, that of his merciful love is greater still.

We are practically on the threshold of Holy Week. Within a week we will enter the Sacred Triduum to accompany Christ in his so scandalously incomprehensible “hour.” The “hour of the powers of darkness” (cf. Lk. 22:53). The hour of his exaltation on the cross. The hour also, of his triumph and glorious resurrection.

As we contemplate these ineffable mysteries we discover a hushed, motherly presence: Mary most holy. In Nazareth, Bethlehem and on Calvary, Mary is present not as a spectator but fully immersed, playing an active role in the mystery. Mary invites us to enter in, like her, accepting the part Christ wants to assign to us, because we too are co-protagonists.

This is the context in which I want to present to you the communiqué that is being released along with this letter.

1. As you will see, the communiqué is devoted almost in its entirety to topics that in one way or another we have been talking back and forward on for over a year now. We have done so with some of you individually, and with others in larger meetings and gatherings. On several occasions I have also made sure to write to all of you together. We have prayed together many times. I also know that the Legionaries and consecrated members who serve you have done their best to be available to you, and to answer your questions and concerns as we got a better understanding of what was happening.

It has been a very painful time for everyone, even traumatic. The sudden uncovering of some facets of our founder’s life that were so removed from what we lived by his side, was a totally unexpected surprise for us all [maybe--but yesterday's pictures tell a different story]. We were not prepared for it. We all had to go through a process of gradual assimilation, in many cases a necessarily slow one, requiring an uncommon store of human and spiritual resources, which each one has been finding in prayer, in conversation with Christ in the Eucharist, by staying close to the Blessed Mother, and in conversations with your directors, spiritual guide or your section members, family members and friends.

As is natural, in this process of facing the historical reality and its consequences, each one has followed his own path depending on his sensitivity, cultural background [is that a swipe at the American anger?] and spiritual foundation [some are less "serene" than others, obvi]. And it is just as natural that everyone is not at the same point. Some, having received a special help from grace, can say that this is now behind them [dastardly comment!], while another will still need time and prayer to finish processing and give closure to this chapter in their conscience [it's not their private conscience, Father, but a universal sense of justice]. We have to be very considerate in respecting and understanding each one’s individual pace.

2. In recent days, I have been thinking through all of this with the general counselors and the territorial directors. Together, we have seen that once we have all read and assimilated this page in the life of the Legion of Christ and Regnum Christi, our task is to take a step forward, individually and as an institution, to close this chapter of our history and open a new one [Take a step forward? We have seen nothing but spin, recruiting, and fund-raising since the announcement. What other posture have you ever had?]

It is true that we are still awaiting the results of the apostolic visitation, whose operative phase has ended. Undoubtedly, our attitude is one of complete openness [except the men you shuffled around to avoid giving testimony], and we will embrace supernaturally and with docility whatever the Holy Father sees fit to ask of us. But until that moment comes, which is presumably still some months away, we want to get moving [SOP], so to speak, to set out again on our way with faith and humility, and throw ourselves back into working with all our ardor in the mission the Lord has given to us at the service of the Church. The attached communiqué, besides what it means in itself, is also in function of this goal of institutional re-launching.

3. I think that if we contemplate the Blessed Mother’s example we will find in her the attitudes that ought to be ours in this historic time in which it is our lot to live [passive voice, poor us]. From the Annunciation in Nazareth to the mortal scene on Calvary, we see that Mary’s soul is filled with theological faith, hope, and love. These are the three virtues that God asks us to cultivate intensely. Faith that sheds light on the past. Hope that arms us with courage for the future. Love that commits us in the present [Authentic love for the victims would be a nice touch, then].

4. Faith that sheds light on the past

So many things happened that turned Mary’s life upside down, without her being able to understand them. Beginning with the angel’s message itself, passing through countless surprises, setbacks, mishaps and adversities, and ending in the tragic denouement – foretold certainly, but nevertheless defying all understanding, so contrary to what you could reasonably expect would be the destiny of one who was nothing less than the Son of God. What did she do? How did she react? [Let me get this straight: you are comparing the unfolding of a total lie at the foundation of your order with the Annunciation???]

“His mother carefully kept all these things in her heart” (Lk. 2:51). She meditated on them. From the angle of faith. She meditated without understanding [so if you cannot grasp the operative drive of an incestious paederast, I guess you're in good company]. She talked them over with God, not asking for reasons or explanations [this is beyond the pale]. She simply knew that everything was part of his plan, that he knew what he was doing and why [lines, crooked, straight, you know the drill]. That was enough for her, even if she understood nothing. She meditated on it all, not to lock herself in fruitless moaning or to give herself to self-pity [and in the Legion's mind, authentic discernment is no more than "fruitless moaning." Take a hint!]. It was to understand God’s plan better. To ask him for the strength to accept it. And to give herself docilely, humbly, and joyfully [!!] to fulfill it.

On Calvary, at the foot of the cross: silence and trustful prayer. Once again, she understood nothing. It was so cruel, so degrading, so impossibly evil. But though her eyes were fogged with tears and her mind stunned with confusion, her soul radiated faith. She knew that God was carrying out his plan. And once again, she answered, “Yes.” And she went on meditating. She meditated, believing. She believed, trusting. [In other words, stop talking about this and trust us.]

I think this is the kind of faith God is asking of us. Perhaps we will never come to understand the reason for so many things that have come to light. Nor why God chose such an instrument to establish the Legion of Christ and Regnum Christi. Why will the Legion and Regnum Christi not be able to present the figure of its founder like other congregations and movements? God knows. We have to accept it with faith. And with faith and humility recognize that, in spite of such a great mystery, God is wiser than we are. Once again, his warning is proven true: “My ways are not your ways” (Is. 55:8). [Some call this sort of thing "dithering." Can we all just shrug our shoulders and carry on, folks?]

God asks us for faith to believe firmly that “all things work for the good of those who love God” (Rom. 8:28), and therefore, that he is preparing us for a special outpouring of grace ["Us" meaning the Church, or "us" meaning those who persevere in the Movement? Is he channeling God here? Shall they all go to a mountaintop and await a "private revelation?" This is getting creepy]. We have to trust that he, who has allowed things to happen this way, is sufficiently good and powerful to draw greater benefits from them. In part, we already see them. I am sure we will see many more. The Catechism teaches us that “In time we can discover that God in his almighty providence can bring a good from the consequences of an evil, even a moral evil, caused by his creatures” and that “from the greatest moral evil ever committed - the rejection and murder of God´s only Son, caused by the sins of all men - God, by his grace that ‘abounded all the more’ (cf. Rom. 5:20), brought the greatest of goods: the glorification of Christ and our redemption.” At the same time, it warns us that “but for all that, evil never becomes a good” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 312). [He is making all sorts of embarrassing promises here, which are not his to make.]

With faith, we must discover and accept that above all the vicissitudes [ah yes, we discussed this word, didn't we?] that shape our past history, it is divine Providence that is really guiding our destiny [I thought the devil made MM do it, and now it was God?]. Faith helps us to truly believe it, though at times it might seem we are moving in the wrong direction, though at times our eyes might see no more than the often clumsy action of human freedom [what a slam at human freedom, better to just blindly obey and abandon free will]. In this past year, many factors have determined the course that the Legion and the Regnum Christi Movement have followed. One of these factors has been the actions of their directors. From a human perspective, you might think that they were more or less appropriate, or inappropriate. As I examine my own actions, given the responsibility I have, I can assure you that at all times I have tried to proceed with greatest purity of intention and maximum prudence. I have asked the Holy Spirit daily for the gift of counsel which, as you know, enlightens and perfects the virtue of prudence. I have used the help of my general counselors, of many men of the Church, and yours. We have tried to make every decision and take every step in the presence of God [I only write letters in front of the Tabernacle, remember], trying to discern how Jesus Christ would act. But I am not infallible [Only the methodology is, so we were told]. I don’t know if I got it right. For certain, not in everything. The other directors also may very well have committed some mistakes among countless wise actions. But what is without doubt is that God can write straight with crooked lines [Fulfilled: what would a letter be without that phrase!]. In spite of the great limitations and defects of his instruments, God has guided our trajectory in the past, and he will continue to guide us in the future. Mary’s faith assures us it is so. [It assures us of no such thing, Father!]

5. Hope that arms us with courage for the future.

Mary also gives us an example of hope. She never gave in to the temptation not to trust [because she trusted in Almighty God, not the Legion]. There were terrible moments in which the future seemed to offer no way out. The angel told her she would be a mother and virgin, and she was well aware of the suspicions that this could stir up. She was told that they had to leave in haste for Egypt, fleeing from Herod’s hatred; and it is easy to guess the uncertainty and anxiety that flooded her spirit. She was told that a sword would pierce her soul and she must have endured many years under the anxiety of the prophecy that would be fulfilled. Below her Son’s cross, she was told of a new, universal motherhood…. But she learned to place herself time and again in God’s hands, with limitless hope. And God did not disappoint her hope. [Question: is the Legion a consolation to Mary in her anguish, or part of the scandal of that Cross?]

Like the Virgin Mary, we too must look to the future with great hope in God, letting no storm rob us of the optimism which is proper to the one who knows, like St Paul, that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ and that all is loss compared to the experience of Christ’s love, which is the only reason for our existence.

Trust follows faith. If we truly believe in God, his Providence, his infinite wisdom and goodness, we cannot but grasp his hand and place all our trust in him, only in him. Nothing in the future can make us fear. [Then why do you fear your members' open questions, their desire to read non-LC-approved materials, or to discern that their life of faith is best lived outside the confines of the Movement?]

Looking to the future with theological hope means facing it with a deep sense of responsibility. It is God who willed to bring forth the Legion of Christ and Regnum Christi, so as to give the Church a group of apostles to humbly and passionately cooperate in the great mission of evangelization. He is not going to abandon us. He will not let us down. All he asks of us is to be holy, consistent [remember the definition of insanity?], and responsible, so as not to let down him, the Church, society and souls. [This is the frightful pressure that they place on unsuspecting youngsters: other souls depend on your constancy in your vocation with us.]

6. Love that commits us in the present.

Mary did not only believe and hope. Above all, she loved God. Out of love, she accepted his will at all times and she gave herself to fulfill it diligently, never thinking of herself, her comfort, her reputation, or her welfare. She cared only about loving God and doing his will.

This is the commitment God is asking of us too, at this time. If faith shows us that all things work for the good of those who love God we have to love more, we must love without limits. And we will see how much good God will put into this world. This is what he asks of us, that we not limit or dilute our love, that we nourish it more and more every day in prayer. Let this be one of our main resolutions: to be prayerful men and women, people with a deep interior life. [All of the above is repetative of what he's already said, which is a tendency of this priest. Saying something several times and numerous ways is his effort to nail it in, I think.]

Love moves us to continue serving the Church. Unselfishly, not for the benefits it brings us. [Now this is the standard shift: 1. serve the Movement faithfully, etc. and 2. now we're serving the Church, so apply all that I said about the pirate ship to the Barque of Peter.]

Love moves us to continue making a reality of the beautiful and fruitful charism [erm,really?] that God gave us. Out of love, we seek to make it bear fruit [No! We do nothing -- this is very bad theology -- hence my earlier phrase that I was a "bully for Christ!"]. Out of love, we want to share it so that many others will be spiritually enriched with the gifts that we have received from him, and we will thus reach the final goal of our lives: heaven.

Love moves us to continue walking together, supporting each other, giving our mutual understanding [you're good at supporting each other, it's the wounded bodies --those who have left -- that are not on your radar screen]. Out of love, we seek to strengthen even more our unity and family spirit, the priceless treasure that gives such peace and serenity to our communities and teams. [Serenity and unity -- the makings of a peaceful, inpenetrable cult]

Love moves us to remain beside all our companions in Regnum Christi, our friends, families, benefactors, and all those whom God places on our path, so that we will be for them a Simon of Cyrene to help them carry their cross as they follow Christ. [And the victims? And the wounded? And your "detractors?" And your "enemies?" Didn't Jesus ask you to love them, too?]

7. Dear friends and Regnum Christi members, these thoughts are the fruit of long and deep reflection done together with the general counselors and the territorial directors, and I invite you to take them to Christ who is present in the Eucharist. There, with our hand in Mary’s, let us meditate on these things, renew our “yes” – one that is clearer, more consistent, more long-suffering and also more joyful. And let us pray that he will grant every one of us, like Mary, the grace to accept his plans with luminous faith, to look toward the future with unbreakable hope, and to commit ourselves to living in charity in every present moment.

Very united in prayer and in the mission entrusted to all of us, I remain your affectionate servant in Christ,

Fr Álvaro Corcuera, LC

In summary, that many men and women are under his theological guidance and spiritual headship is deeply troubling. The theology is unsound, the reasoning is flawed and the direction he insists upon is unconscionable. I trust that the proper authorities in the Church can read this for themselves and come to reasonable conclusions about the nature of this group. Prayers for the victims, the blinded members, and especially the anguished family members on the outside who cannot reach their loved ones. God will not be mocked, and one day the truth will out. Come Holy Spirit.

"And it is just as natural that everyone is not at the same point. Some, having received a special help from grace, can say that this is now behind them"

Can I just say this is the meanest, most manipulative thing I have ever heard? I have so much pity for people who are trapped in the Movement by twisted statements like this. This is not love or charity, it is a sick kind of emotional exploitation. The rest of the letter was a blurr to me after reading that statement. I can't get over the spiritual browbeating tone of this letter. God Bless the poor RC who thinks this is how Jesus would minister to them. I wish they could all be free from this tyrrany.

Why is it “a special help from grace… that this is now behind them" ? Does grace inspire cowardice or blindness to allow one to stick ones head in the sand? This letter should only be the beginning – the difficult part should be ahead: reparations, penance, reform etc… He’s saying - OK now that we wrote an apology it’s all behind us now, we can move forward and if you can’t - why you just haven’t received that “special grace” yet. I guess I’m not special.

The communique states that they want to help everyone who was harmed by Maciel and the Legion. All of the victims should contact them and ask for reparation. They could send a certified letter with a copy to the appropriate visitator, or possibly even to Rome.

They seem to be having difficulty contacting the victims so maybe the victims should contact them--again.

Monk, you say you agree with the same statement I find so appaling? Don't you see how he twists the truth. Grace doesn't blind you, it sets you free. Be free of the Legion my friend and live in the light of the Church. Christ would never shame someone into following Him. We stay true to Christ because we love Him and he loves us. There is no love in this letter, only shame and guilt.

This communique (and read Fr. Alvaro's and Gang's) accompanying Manifesto for the Future is nearly blasphemous, IMO. RC is now Mary, Legion is the Church Church, and MM was the crowd that sought to crucify Christ. It really is just a final, desperate attempt to keep the sheep in the flock. It is infuriating!

This letter is pathetic. Neither Alvaro nor his general counselors and territorial directors have any right to continue their attempt to spiritually guide anyone. The leaders of the Legion do not know right from wrong, good from ABSOLUTE EVIL. These are men without a functioning moral compass. Honesty is not something they understand because they live in fear of what the truth. They don't want to know just how far MM's corruption goes because they know that they have been compromised by it and directly or indirectly participated in it.

Stop telling us to imitate Mary! Mary didn't follow God's will her entire life only to find out that Jesus wasn't really the son of God, and that everything he ever said was a lie. There is no possible comparison to the Legion's situation and anything in the New Testament. This scandal is unprecedented in Church history.

Alvaro, PLEASE stop the pompous preaching. You are wrong and have been the entire time. You have blood on you hands that can't be washed off. Step down and let people decide for themselves without all the BS and guilt.

" We all had to go through a process of gradual assimilation," Are you kidding me. It sounds like Star Trek or the Borg! I just can't believe how many times they say the same thing over and over. You really have to be like a drone to keep on taking it in and believing it. They are supposed to take it in and make it okay and keep on going. WOW! Can't wait to read the rest.(Not)

Let's hold that thought- the Annunciation and all that it says about the discernment and response to the plan of God...

AC keeps a tone of applying the virtue of faith so that only those who say Yes to RC/LC are like Mary, those who go elsewhere did not measure up. Humanly processing the trauma, dealing with your own spiritual immaturity and overcoming your own cultural context are just part of what is in the way of your Yes.. Yes to MM's work, the LC/RC works is the only answer that works here.

At no point is it ever thinkable that these events should be not only a legitimate, but even necessary reason to find a new path, that is, to discern that these events are sign that God is calling you elsewhere. Afterall we did lie to you... The virtue of faith (trusting totally) is used to overpower discernment such that it never genuinely takes place. Classic LC manipulation: the virtue of faith is twisted to omit the discernment of faith. Hence Mordor rears its ugly head: "One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them."

Fides quae (vs. fides qua) are what theologians use to distinguish the content of faith from the virtue. Without the proper content of faith (Rooted in the Faith of the Church and right reason, Sacred Tradition /Sacred Scripture, etc..) the virtue can easily turn into fanaticism, superstitions and self-destructive spiritualities of all types.

Back to the Annunciation: We see the dialogue between Mary and the Angel opens up a space of true freedom. She receives the response with maturity and full discernment when she asks, "How can this be since I do not know man?" She ponders over the content of the proposed events, her past and the new future. There is no real presumption of a yes such that the Angel feels free to ignore her questions, and she in her turn brings the answers to the light of all that she knows about the faith of people of Israel. She discerns.

Lies destroy a man's freedom to discern. Freedom needs truth, and MM with his lies has destroyed the meaning of LCs freedom, he has robbed them of their dignity, and AC has rather than acknowledging those particular wounds has just poured more salt into them.
He leaves them their to continue in the same. Nor does he even try to respond how a charism could come from such deep perversions if it all- is that not a relevant question for any spiritual mature person before you give a response?

Freedom has still not arrived to this world and as such everything they do until then must be considered works of darkness.

Monk, They made an "offical statement", however they refuse to provide the width, length and depth of the truth. I see half truths with lots of rationalizing going on. Plus if you are just going to say this to the existing rank and file, those already staying in the boat, well what's the point? I'm confused as to why they keep getting apologizes and not those that really deserve it. It appears to be based in false humility and manipulation. If you read through the past posts you may begin to see why I see it differently. It would be interesting to take the writings of the last year and see if there really is anything that truely demonstrates growth. I see very little if any. Don't you think they are trying hard to justify their actions and responses?

Having acknowledged that the Vatican found legitimate fault with MM in 2006 (as Fr Alvaro, etc. point out in their communique) will the Legion EVER apologize for their entirely arrogant public statement of May 2006?--the one where they stated his innocence!

They will never be able to overcome this, the very news of MM's evil actions has de facto made them all lame ducks. Master work on his part. That is the true work of a manipulator. The truth is maiming because the lies are so deeply sown.

"We cannot end this communiqué without thanking the thousands of Legionaries, [so-called] consecrated men and women and all Regnum Christi members who have given and continue to give their lives to God in the service of the Church and society with absolute generosity,"

...and very special thank you goes out to those RC men and women who intentionally set out to destroy the reputations and lives of those who chose to speak the truth about the Legion. To you, I am most grateful. Keep up the good work - It ain't over yet. In Christ, Fr. Alvaro and Gang.

Giselle - You ask me what I think of your reactions (in red) and what they tell me about you. The truthful answer is I don't know yet.

When I first read the documents, my reaction was to take a long, deep breath. I didn't think knee jerk reactions were appropriate.

I could choose to focus on the flaws and how they coulda woulda shoulda written a better document. Instead, I choose to focus on the positive elements - at long last, an "official" statement, acknowledging what needed to be made explicit. In the heel of the hunt, it is an apology. I believe Alvaro's letter is from the heart - check my thoughts about him on my blog.

I suspect you have invested so much of yourself in the RC debacle that you will miss it if it ever finally gets resolved! The amount of people you attract here speaks to the need for what you do. God knows the LC/RC have not been kind to those of us who left.

Time will tell if the LC is sincere - and we still have to see what the Pope will have to say.

I don't know how you manage to maintain your blog so assiduously. I admire you for that - personally I find the task emotionally draining. I'm sure it's a generational thing with me - I did a lot of talking with a psychologist after I left the Legion. One who helped me greatly happened to be a Jesuit. I still find it hard to understand how people, seem to want to pour their hearts out in the comboxes. No doubt there is healing but, I have to think, there have to be some who get stuck in their personal journeys. Emotional contagion is very real. As a newcomer to blogs, I haven't enough data to make an educated judgment - but my superficial take is that I don't see much, if any, evidence of healing. But, there again, God writes straight on crooked lines :-) so what do I know?

Thanks, Monk. That was an honest assessment. For what it's worth, I'm on line for hours everyday because that's my job. I'm a writer and an editor -- so words come easily and I'm sitting here anyway. I can duck out to attend to kids and house and dog between writing tasks.

Would I miss it? Nice to feel needed, but more frustrated at what this siphons off the Church at large, meaning my energies that could be going into my next book, and the peace and good that the readers could be attending to. I'll live just fine without this "project."

"Knee jerk" is the only phrase I quibble with, because reactions are what they are. If mine come quickly, it's because of four years of varsity debate in which I learned to dissect and respond on my feet. I do reread and adjust, but my reactions are pretty steady. I'd rather react quickly than not at all (like the "serene" crowd).

I can attest that this blog has led me to real healing. I was quite angry for a long time, but after participating in this blog for the last couple of months, I have worked through quite a lot of issues and have actually come to grips with the fact that I lost the better part of 10 years to this group. I still have healing to do, but this blog has been a life saver for me.

Regarding the letter, wow. It's a tour de force of that "Theology of Trust" that the Legion uses to brainwash its victims. True faith is trusting in God (ie, ones superiors). Those who can't think for themselves will gobble this up. They will think of themselves as Our Lady, saying Yes to Christ, even though they don't understand what is going on around them.

This letter does not invite critical thinking, it invites people to stop thinking and to keep doing their busy work. Even Fr. Garza in his address to the 3gfs admitted that this is how he kept going after the last chapter of the Legion. He saw troubling things, but "kept busy."

The parallel with the Annunciation is absolutely so out there that I actually started laughing a little. But it's actually very sad to use an example so powerful as Our Lady's as a way to keep people under your thumb.

Monk, are you also an expert on healing? Although it reads with sarcasm, that is not my intention. Why do you contest the openness of those who've suffered? I can tell you that if it weren't for the real people sharing their stories on this blog, I would not have been able to endure the verbal attacks from my sisters in Christ these past months. We've had experiences that are contradictory to Catholic teaching. Do you think that shouldn't be exposed? It's on a grand scale. These are not five isolated events. There are hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of painful and disturbing experiences that we've suffered at the direction of Catholic priests from an order that has highly questionable origins. Do you understand the gravity now? I don't have a bone to pick with you personally - just anyone who holds a candle to this organization. God bless you.